Process of preserving batteries



L. KRIEGER Pnocs's oF PRESERVING- BATTERIES l Fig. l.

Sept.9, 1924.

yFiled Feb. 19, 1924 Pigna.

im am )v wwf 6 ,w 3 n M Fig. 5.

Patented Sept. 9, 1924.'

LOUIS KRIEGER, F PARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR T0 GENERAL EIEC'JYRIC` COMPANY,A

` CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK. 5

`IPIROlilSS' 0F PRESEBVING BATTERIES.

Application led Februaryvl, 1924. Serial No. 693,881.

To all whom t may cof/wem:

Be it known that I, LOUIS KRIEGER, a citizen ofv the French Republic,residing at Paris, France, have invented certain newv and usefulImprovements in Processes of Preserving Batteries, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relatesto the process of preserving batteries and isespecially applicable for preserving socalled dry batteries.

One of the main difficulties in the manufacture of dry batteries forfuture demand is due to the fact that the stock put in storagedeteriorates, so that the commercial value of the battery is impaired.

I have found, however, that this objection can be overcome by properlyplacing the batteries in storage and preserving them at comparativelylow temperatures. -I have found that the reactions that continued totake place when batteries are kept in stock and which decrease thecapacity of the battery, stops almost entirely at low temperatures,thereby conserving the batteries.

The invention consists in conserving the batteries manufactured, in adry placeat a low temperature, for example, at about zero degreecentigrade. However, the conservin temperature varies 'anywhere fromminus degrees to lus 10 degrees centigrade. I have founld, however, thatthe lower the temperature, the better the condition of preservation andthat the zone of temperatures to be preferred for a practicalapplication of the method seems 'to lie between zero and minus 5 degreescentigrade. It is necessary that the medium into which the batteries arelaced be free from humidity, in case that is medium be a gas, so as notto cause any condensation of water on the elements or their wra pers asthis condensation tends to establis connections that favor thespontaneous dischargeof the batteries. Instead of a gas, however, anelectrical insulating liquid ma be used and preferably a liquid of thisc aracter having -a low oint of solidiication. Also, an electricalinsulating body witha low point of 4fusion at about from 15 to 25degrees centigrade for example, may be used for covering the elementsthat are to 'ne conserved.

' These elements ma be freed from the insulating body by sion of theinsulating -my invention.

which the batteries are placed may be produced by any suitable means andthe same may be said relative t0 the means for drying the gaseous mediumwhen gas is to be used. They followin lexamples will suffice to give anunderstan ing of the scope of the invention without limiting its form.The process and means for carrying out my invention will be hereinaftermore full-y. set

forth and claimed, reference being had toN the accompanying drawings inwhich Figs. l 4through 6 show various devices and arrangements forcarrying out the process of Referring more in detail .to the accointoApanying drawing, Fig. 1 shows an enclosure g comprising batteries a, a',a2, at, etc., en-

closed in any sort of a refrigerator b. This refrigerator has a coldchamber in which the batteries are located, immersed in a suitable bathc formed by a liquid cooled by closed. for the purpose of preventing asmuch as possible its acquiring heat from the surrounding medium, asy forexample, from the warmer surrounding outside air.

In Fig. 3 Athe batteries, a, a a2, etc., are immersed in an electricalinsulating liquid z', as for example, alcohol, tetrachloride of carbon,etc., with a low point of -solidification and which has no chemicalaction upon the elements from which elements the liquid, can beevaporated at a low temperature. In

this case the container may be simply closed to prevent evaporation ofthe -insulatin liquid. This liquid can be cooled either directly, asinFig. 4, or by placing it into the refrigerator, as in Fig. -5.

Fig. 5 represents the container with the batteries a, a', a2, etc.,immersed in a' solid electrical insulatin bod k having a low fusionpoint 4anyw ere om 15 degrees to 25 degrees centigrade, for example.'Ifhe container is cooled by means 'of a refrigerator, as indicated inFig. 1.

Fig. 6 represents the `same arrangement the circulation of a coldliquid, for example,

with the batteries immersed in a solid body and shows the containercooled directly as enough at low temperatures to cause losses.-

lt will be understood that while ii have described the process inspecific detail and have shown specific means for carrying it out, inview of the disclosure it is obvious lthat variations in my inventionwill readily suggest themselves to others, which Variation will notdepart from the spirit of my invention, the scope of Which is indicatedby the accompanying claims.

' What )i claim, as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is l. The method of conserving a battery while not in usewhich consists in placing the battery in a container having a dryinsulating medium inert with respect to the elements of the battery andmaintaining the battery at a temperature below degrees centigrade.

2. Yilhe method ot conserving a battery while not in use which consistsin placing the battery in a container having an inioaevi sulating mediuminert with respect to the elements of the battery which medium fuses ata point below degrees eentigrade and maintaining the temperature of thebattery l below 10 degrees centigrade.

3. The method of conserving a battery while not in use which consists inplacing' the battery in a container having an insulating medium inertwith respect to the elements of the battery, which mediana evaporates'at a point below 25 degrees eentigrade and maintainingV the temperatureof the battery below l0 degrees centigrade.

e. The method of conserving a battery while not in use which consists inplacing the battery in a container having an mentating medium inert withrespect to the elements of the battery, which medium solidities at apoint below 25 degrees oentigrade, and noaintainingl the temperature ofthe battery below 10 degrees oentigrade.

5. The method of conserving a battery while not in use which consists inplacing the battery in a container having a dry insulating gas inertwith respect to the elements of the battery and maintaining the batteryat a temperature lbeioifv 10 degrees oentigrade. Y

LUUS

